Week 1 (scientific method)

Question 1

What is intuition?

Answer 1

Knowledge is gained without intellectual effort or sensory processing
Based upon instincts and emotions

Dependent on cognitive and emotional bias

Question 2

What is authority? (Ways of knowing)

Answer 2

Knowledge is gained through acceptance of ideas from respected figures
You trust their positions and accept what they say is true

However authorities may rely on intuition be motivated to mislead and could be wrong

Question 3

What is rationalism/logic? (Ways of knowing)

Answer 3

Knowledge through the application of logical rules

Premise stated, rules applied, conclusion reached

If premise is wrong then the conclusion reached is invalid

Question 4

What is empiricism? (Ways of knowing)

Answer 4

Knowledge is gained through observation and experience

However, senses limit what we can experience and are open to deceptions and illusions

Question 5

What is scientific method? (Ways of knowing)

Answer 5

Knowledge is developed through systematic empiricism
Uses rationalism and logic and is combined with empiricism =systematic

Data is systematically collected and evaluated

Question 6

What are the goals of science

Answer 6

To describe, predict and explain

Question 7

What are the two different types of research

Answer 7

Basic and applied

Question 8

What is basic research

Answer 8

Fundamental or pure research aims to increase the understanding of phenomena

Theoretically motivated and isn’t trying to solve any particular problem

Question 9

What is applied research

Answer 9

The aim is to find solutions to practical problems

Question 10

What are the five steps to the scientific process

Answer 10

Generate a question
Develop procedures 
Make empirical observations 
Rationally interpret the observations 
Use interpretations to predict other events

Question 11

What are the two different types of logical reasoning

Answer 11

Inductive and deductive

Question 12

What is inductive reasoning

Answer 12

Goes from specific to general

Observation or data to a theory

If something is true in a particular case therefore it is assumed to apply in more general cases as well

Question 13

What is deductive reasoning?

Answer 13

Goes from general to specific
Theory to predictions

Is the premises of truth in the conclusion is true

Question 14

What makes a good theory?

Answer 14

Parsimony: no more complex than needs to be
Testability: must be able to make prediction that are open to empirical refutations
Functional: explains how variables relate to one another
Valid: make specific, testable predictions that are confirmed by observations

Question 15

What are the phases of research? (7)

Answer 15

Idea generating 
Problem definition 
Procedures design 
Observation 
Data analysis 
Interpretation 
Communication

Question 16

What are some examples of the idea generating phase?

Answer 16

Read literature in area
Deduce hypotheses from existing theory
Think about variables

Question 17

What happens in the problem definition stage?

Answer 17

Develop testable hypotheses from previous research and own ideas
These must be specific

Question 18

What happens during the procedures design phase

Answer 18

Decide:
Variables
What will be measured
What will be manipulated who will be tested how will data be recorded and analysed

Question 19

What happens in the observation phase?

Answer 19

Doing research

Might begin with a pilot study

Question 20

What is the data analysis phase

Answer 20

Statistical methods applied

Question 21

What is the interpretation phase

Answer 21

Inductive process

Data inform answer in relation to hypothesis and how it contributes to existing knowledge

Question 22

Naturalistic observation?

Answer 22

Observation of a phenomena on in its natural setting the findings have clear applications outside of the lab

Awareness of being observed may affect behaviour and generalisability
Can be biased due to researcher expectations

Question 23

Case study?

Answer 23

In-depth observation of one person or small group
It is useful when it isn’t very well understood or it is difficult to produce experimentally/is rare

Case may not be representative of larger population and is subject to researcher bias

Question 24

Relational research?

Answer 24

Attempts to determine the degree to which variables are related

Cannot be used to establish cause and affect lack of control means direction of causation is ambiguous or could be due to another variable

Question 25

Differential research?

Answer 25

Compares two or more groups that are pre-existing and not under the researchers control

Missing component in quasi experimental research is the random assignment of participants to the treatment conditions this means we can never rule out alternate explanations for the effect that is observed

Question 26

Experimental research?

Answer 26

Participants are randomly assigned to groups or conditions this means researchers are able to have strict control over all aspects of the study

High constraint means little flexibility these experimental conditions may not translate well to real world settings